2008-PA-0112.htm

Act No. 112

Public Acts of 2008

Approved by the Governor

April 24, 2008

Filed with the Secretary of State

April 29, 2008

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 29, 2008

STATE OF MICHIGAN

94TH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2008

Introduced by Reps. Gillard, Hopgood, Johnson, Clemente and Melton

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 5531

AN ACT to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled "An act to make appropriations to aid in the support of the public schools and the intermediate school districts of the state; to make appropriations for certain other purposes relating to education; to provide for the disbursement of the appropriations; to supplement the school aid fund by the levy and collection of certain taxes; to authorize the issuance of certain bonds and provide for the security of those bonds; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to create certain funds and provide for their expenditure; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending sections 11, 11j, 22a, 22b, 22d, 51a, 51c, 56, 62, and 104 (MCL 388.1611, 388.1611j, 388.1622a, 388.1622b, 388.1622d, 388.1651a, 388.1651c, 388.1656, 388.1662, and 388.1704), as amended by 2007 PA 137, and by adding sections 32e, 54c, 99n, and 99p.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 11. (1) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, there is appropriated for the public schools of this state and certain other state purposes relating to education the sum of $11,386,866,600.00 from the state school aid fund established by section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 and the sum of $34,909,600.00 from the general fund. In addition, available federal funds are appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008.

(2) The appropriations under this section shall be allocated as provided in this act. Money appropriated under this section from the general fund shall be expended to fund the purposes of this act before the expenditure of money appropriated under this section from the state school aid fund. If the maximum amount appropriated under this section from the state school aid fund for a fiscal year exceeds the amount necessary to fully fund allocations under this act from the state school aid fund, that excess amount shall not be expended in that state fiscal year and shall not lapse to the general fund, but instead shall be deposited into the school aid stabilization fund created in section 11a.

(3) If the maximum amount appropriated under this section from the state school aid fund and the school aid stabilization fund for a fiscal year exceeds the amount available for expenditure from the state school aid fund for that fiscal year, payments under sections 11f, 11g, 11j, 22a, 26a, 26b, 31d, 31f, 51a(2), 51a(12), 51c, 53a, and 56 shall be made in full. In addition, for districts beginning operations after 1994-95 that qualify for payments under section 22b, payments under section 22b shall be made so that the qualifying districts receive the lesser of an amount equal to the 1994-95 foundation allowance of the district in which the district beginning operations after 1994-95 is located or $5,500.00. The amount of the payment to be made under section 22b for these qualifying districts shall be as calculated under section 22a, with the balance of the payment under section 22b being subject to the proration otherwise provided under this subsection and subsection (4). If proration is necessary, state payments under each of the other sections of this act from all state funding sources shall be prorated in the manner prescribed in subsection (4) as necessary to reflect the amount available for expenditure from the state school aid fund for the affected fiscal year. However, if the department of treasury determines that proration will be required under this subsection, or if the department of treasury determines that further proration is required under this subsection after an initial proration has already been made for a fiscal year, the department of treasury shall notify the state budget director, and the state budget director shall notify the legislature at least 30 calendar days or 6 legislative session days, whichever is more, before the department reduces any payments under this act because of the proration. During the 30 calendar day or 6 legislative session day period after that notification by the state budget director, the department shall not reduce any payments under this act because of proration under this subsection. The legislature may prevent proration from occurring by, within the 30 calendar day or 6 legislative session day period after that notification by the state budget director, enacting legislation appropriating additional funds from the general fund, countercyclical budget and economic stabilization fund, state school aid fund balance, or another source to fund the amount of the projected shortfall.

(4) If proration is necessary under subsection (3), the department shall calculate the proration in district and intermediate district payments that is required under subsection (3) as follows:

(a) The department shall calculate the percentage of total state school aid allocated under this act for the affected fiscal year for each of the following:

(i) Districts.

(ii) Intermediate districts.

(iii) Entities other than districts or intermediate districts.

(b) The department shall recover a percentage of the proration amount required under subsection (3) that is equal to the percentage calculated under subdivision (a)(i) for districts by reducing payments to districts. This reduction shall be made by calculating an equal dollar amount per pupil as necessary to recover this percentage of the proration amount and reducing each district's total state school aid from state sources, other than payments under sections 11f, 11g, 11j, 22a, 26a, 26b, 31d, 31f, 51a(2), 51a(12), 51c, and 53a, by that amount.

(c) The department shall recover a percentage of the proration amount required under subsection (3) that is equal to the percentage calculated under subdivision (a)(ii) for intermediate districts by reducing payments to intermediate districts. This reduction shall be made by reducing the payments to each intermediate district, other than payments under sections 11f, 11g, 26a, 26b, 51a(2), 51a(12), 53a, and 56, on an equal percentage basis.

(d) The department shall recover a percentage of the proration amount required under subsection (3) that is equal to the percentage calculated under subdivision (a)(iii) for entities other than districts and intermediate districts by reducing payments to these entities. This reduction shall be made by reducing the payments to each of these entities, other than payments under sections 11j, 26a, and 26b, on an equal percentage basis.

(5) Except for the allocation under section 26a, any general fund allocations under this act that are not expended by the end of the state fiscal year are transferred to the school aid stabilization fund created under section 11a.

Sec. 11j. From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,900,000.00 for 2007-2008 for payments to the school loan bond redemption fund in the department of treasury on behalf of districts and intermediate districts. Notwithstanding section 11 or any other provision of this act, funds allocated under this section are not subject to proration and shall be paid in full.

Sec. 22a. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $5,951,000,000.00 for 2007-2008 for payments to districts, qualifying university schools, and qualifying public school academies to guarantee each district, qualifying university school, and qualifying public school academy an amount equal to its 1994-95 total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes under section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963. Pursuant to section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, this guarantee does not apply to a district in a year in which the district levies a millage rate for school district operating purposes less than it levied in 1994. However, subsection (2) applies to calculating the payments under this section. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22b and 51c in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

(2) To ensure that a district receives an amount equal to the district's 1994-95 total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes, there is allocated to each district a state portion of the district's 1994-95 foundation allowance in an amount calculated as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the state portion of a district's 1994-95 foundation allowance is an amount equal to the district's 1994-95 foundation allowance or $6,500.00, whichever is less, minus the difference between the product of the taxable value per membership pupil of all property in the district that is not a homestead or qualified agricultural property times the lesser of 18 mills or the number of mills of school operating taxes levied by the district in 1993-94 and the quotient of the ad valorem property tax revenue of the district captured under 1975 PA197, MCL 125.1651 to 125.1681, the tax increment finance authority act, 1980 PA 450, MCL 125.1801 to 125.1830, the local development financing act, 1986 PA 281, MCL 125.2151 to 125.2174, the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL 125.2651 to 125.2672, or the corridor improvement authority act, 2005 PA 280, MCL 125.2871 to 125.2899, divided by the district's membership. For a district that has a millage reduction required under section 31 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, the state portion of the district's foundation allowance shall be calculated as if that reduction did not occur.

(b) For a district that had a 1994-95 foundation allowance greater than $6,500.00, the state payment under this subsection shall be the sum of the amount calculated under subdivision (a) plus the amount calculated under this subdivision. The amount calculated under this subdivision shall be equal to the difference between the district's 1994-95 foundation allowance minus $6,500.00 and the current year hold harmless school operating taxes per pupil. If the result of the calculation under subdivision (a) is negative, the negative amount shall be an offset against any state payment calculated under this subdivision. If the result of a calculation under this subdivision is negative, there shall not be a state payment or a deduction under this subdivision. The taxable values per membership pupil used in the calculations under this subdivision are as adjusted by ad valorem property tax revenue captured under 1975 PA 197, MCL 125.1651 to 125.1681, the tax increment finance authority act, 1980 PA 450, MCL 125.1801 to 125.1830, the local development financing act, 1986 PA 281, MCL 125.2151 to 125.2174, the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL125.2651 to 125.2672, or the corridor improvement authority act, 2005 PA 280, MCL 125.2871 to 125.2899, divided by the district's membership.

(3) Beginning in 2003-2004, for pupils in membership in a qualifying public school academy or qualifying university school, there is allocated under this section to the authorizing body that is the fiscal agent for the qualifying public school academy for forwarding to the qualifying public school academy, or to the board of the public university operating the qualifying university school, an amount equal to the 1994-95 per pupil payment to the qualifying public school academy or qualifying university school under section 20.

(4) A district, qualifying university school, or qualifying public school academy may use funds allocated under this section in conjunction with any federal funds for which the district, qualifying university school, or qualifying public school academy otherwise would be eligible.

(5) For a district that is formed or reconfigured after June 1, 2000 by consolidation of 2 or more districts or by annexation, the resulting district's 1994-95 foundation allowance under this section beginning after the effective date of the consolidation or annexation shall be the average of the 1994-95 foundation allowances of each of the original or affected districts, calculated as provided in this section, weighted as to the percentage of pupils in total membership in the resulting district in the state fiscal year in which the consolidation takes place who reside in the geographic area of each of the original districts. If an affected district's 1994-95 foundation allowance is less than the 1994-95 basic foundation allowance, the amount of that district's 1994-95 foundation allowance shall be considered for the purpose of calculations under this subsection to be equal to the amount of the 1994-95 basic foundation allowance.

(6) As used in this section:

(a) "1994-95 foundation allowance" means a district's 1994-95 foundation allowance calculated and certified by the department of treasury or the superintendent under former section 20a as enacted in 1993 PA 336 and as amended by 1994 PA 283.

(b) "Current state fiscal year" means the state fiscal year for which a particular calculation is made.

(c) "Current year hold harmless school operating taxes per pupil" means the per pupil revenue generated by multiplying a district's 1994-95 hold harmless millage by the district's current year taxable value per membership pupil.

(d) "Hold harmless millage" means, for a district with a 1994-95 foundation allowance greater than $6,500.00, the number of mills by which the exemption from the levy of school operating taxes on a homestead and qualified agricultural property could be reduced as provided in section 1211(1) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, and the number of mills of school operating taxes that could be levied on all property as provided in section 1211(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, as certified by the department of treasury for the 1994 tax year.

(e) "Homestead" means that term as defined in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211.

(f) "Membership" means the definition of that term under section 6 as in effect for the particular fiscal year for which a particular calculation is made.

(g) "Qualified agricultural property" means that term as defined in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL380.1211.

(h) "Qualifying public school academy" means a public school academy that was in operation in the 1994-95 school year and is in operation in the current state fiscal year.

(i) "Qualifying university school" means a university school that was in operation in the 1994-95 school year and is in operation in the current fiscal year.

(j) "School operating taxes" means local ad valorem property taxes levied under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, and retained for school operating purposes.

(k) "Taxable value per membership pupil" means each of the following divided by the district's membership:

(i) For the number of mills by which the exemption from the levy of school operating taxes on a homestead and qualified agricultural property may be reduced as provided in section 1211(1) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, the taxable value of homestead and qualified agricultural property for the calendar year ending in the current state fiscal year.

(ii) For the number of mills of school operating taxes that may be levied on all property as provided in section1211(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, the taxable value of all property for the calendar year ending in the current state fiscal year.

Sec. 22b. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,683,275,000.00 for 2007-2008 for discretionary nonmandated payments to districts under this section. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22a and 51c in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) and section 11, the allocation to a district under this section shall be an amount equal to the sum of the amounts calculated under sections 20, 20j, 51a(2), 51a(3), and 51a(12), minus the sum of the allocations to the district under sections 22a and 51c.

(3) In order to receive an allocation under this section, each district shall do all of the following:

(a) Administer in each grade level that it operates in grades 1 to 5 a standardized assessment approved by the department of grade-appropriate basic educational skills. A district may use the Michigan literacy progress profile to satisfy this requirement for grades 1 to 3. Also, if the revised school code is amended to require annual assessments at additional grade levels, in order to receive an allocation under this section each district shall comply with that requirement.

(b) Comply with sections 1278a and 1278b of the revised school code, MCL 380.1278a and 380.1278b.

(c) Furnish data and other information required by state and federal law to the center and the department in the form and manner specified by the center or the department, as applicable.

(d) Comply with section 1230g of the revised school code, MCL 380.1230g.

(4) Districts are encouraged to use funds allocated under this section for the purchase and support of payroll, human resources, and other business function software that is compatible with that of the intermediate district in which the district is located and with other districts located within that intermediate district.

(5) From the allocation in subsection (1), the department shall pay up to $1,000,000.00 in litigation costs incurred by this state associated with lawsuits filed by 1 or more districts or intermediate districts against this state. If the allocation under this section is insufficient to fully fund all payments required under this section, the payments under this subsection shall be made in full before any proration of remaining payments under this section.

(6) It is the intent of the legislature that all constitutional obligations of this state have been fully funded under sections 22a, 31d, 51a, and 51c. If a claim is made by an entity receiving funds under this act that challenges the legislative determination of the adequacy of this funding or alleges that there exists an unfunded constitutional requirement, the state budget director may escrow or allocate from the discretionary funds for nonmandated payments under this section the amount as may be necessary to satisfy the claim before making any payments to districts under subsection (2). If funds are escrowed, the escrowed funds are a work project appropriation and the funds are carried forward into the following fiscal year. The purpose of the work project is to provide for any payments that may be awarded to districts as a result of litigation. The work project shall be completed upon resolution of the litigation.

(7) If the local claims review board or a court of competent jurisdiction makes a final determination that this state is in violation of section 29 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 regarding state payments to districts, the state budget director shall use work project funds under subsection (6) or allocate from the discretionary funds for nonmandated payments under this section the amount as may be necessary to satisfy the amount owed to districts before making any payments to districts under subsection (2).

(8) If a claim is made in court that challenges the legislative determination of the adequacy of funding for this state's constitutional obligations or alleges that there exists an unfunded constitutional requirement, any interested party may seek an expedited review of the claim by the local claims review board. If the claim exceeds $10,000,000.00, this state may remove the action to the court of appeals, and the court of appeals shall have and shall exercise jurisdiction over the claim.

(9) If payments resulting from a final determination by the local claims review board or a court of competent jurisdiction that there has been a violation of section 29 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 exceed the amount allocated for discretionary nonmandated payments under this section, the legislature shall provide for adequate funding for this state's constitutional obligations at its next legislative session.

(10) If a lawsuit challenging payments made to districts related to costs reimbursed by federal title XIX medicaid funds is filed against this state, then, for the purpose of addressing potential liability under such a lawsuit, the state budget director may place funds allocated under this section in escrow or allocate money from the funds otherwise allocated under this section, up to a maximum of 50% of the amount allocated in subsection (1). If funds are placed in escrow under this subsection, those funds are a work project appropriation and the funds are carried forward into the following fiscal year. The purpose of the work project is to provide for any payments that may be awarded to districts as a result of the litigation. The work project shall be completed upon resolution of the litigation. In addition, this state reserves the right to terminate future federal title XIX medicaid reimbursement payments to districts if the amount or allocation of reimbursed funds is challenged in the lawsuit. As used in this subsection, "title XIX" means title XIX of the social security act, 42 USC 1396 to 1396v.

(11) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 only an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 for payment to a district that meets all of the following:

(a) Had a membership of less than 900 pupils for 2006-2007.

(b) Is located in an intermediate district that had a taxable value per membership pupil, as defined in section 22a, of greater than $290,000.00 for 2006-2007.

(c) The school electors of the district voted in the affirmative on May 8, 2007 to restore a millage reduction required under section 31 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, but the district was later found to have an incorrect millage reduction fraction as defined in section 34d of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.34d.

Sec. 22d. (1) From the amount allocated under section 22b, an amount not to exceed $2,025,000.00 is allocated for 2007-2008 for additional payments to small, geographically isolated districts under this section.

(2) From the allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 an amount not to exceed $750,000.00 for payments under this subsection to districts that meet all of the following:

(a) Operates grades K to 12.

(b) Has fewer than 250 pupils in membership.

(i) Is located in the Upper Peninsula at least 30 miles from any other public school building.

(ii) Is located on an island that is not accessible by bridge.

(3) The amount of the additional funding to each eligible district under subsection (2) shall be determined under a spending plan developed as provided in this subsection and approved by the superintendent of public instruction. The spending plan shall be developed cooperatively by the intermediate superintendents of each intermediate district in which an eligible district is located. The intermediate superintendents shall review the financial situation of each eligible district, determine the minimum essential financial needs of each eligible district, and develop and agree on a spending plan that distributes the available funding under subsection (2) to the eligible districts based on those financial needs. The intermediate superintendents shall submit the spending plan to the superintendent of public instruction for approval. Upon approval by the superintendent of public instruction, the amounts specified for each eligible district under the spending plan are allocated under subsection (2) and shall be paid to the eligible districts in the same manner as payments under section 22b.

(4) Subject to subsection (6), from the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 an amount not to exceed $1,275,000.00 for payments under this subsection to districts that meet all of the following:

(a) The district has 5.0 or fewer pupils per square mile as determined by the department.

(b) The district has a total square mileage greater than 200.0 or is 1 of 2 districts that have consolidated transportation services and have a combined total square mileage greater than 200.0.

(5) The funds allocated under subsection (4) shall be allocated on an equal per pupil basis.

(6) A district receiving funds allocated under subsection (2) is not eligible for funding allocated under subsection (4).

Sec. 32e. From the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $4,700,000.00 for 2007-2008 to districts eligible to receive funding under section 32d. The funding under this section shall be distributed among districts in decreasing order of concentration of eligible children as determined by section 38. The amount distributed to each district under this section shall be an amount equal to the number of children the district served under section 32d in 2006-2007 or the number of children the district indicates it will be able to serve under section 37(2)(c) in 2007-2008, whichever is less, minus the number of children for which the district has previously received funding in 2007-2008 as determined by the department, multiplied by $3,400.00. However, a district is not required to return previously allocated funding to the school aid fund in 2007-2008 as a result of this calculation.

Sec. 51a. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2007-2008 an amount not to exceed $990,483,000.00 from state sources and all available federal funding under sections 611 to 619 of part B of the individuals with disabilities education act, 20 USC 1411 to 1419, estimated at $350,700,000.00, plus any carryover federal funds from previous year appropriations. The allocations under this subsection are for the purpose of reimbursing districts and intermediate districts for special education programs, services, and special education personnel as prescribed in article3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766; net tuition payments made by intermediate districts to the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind; and special education programs and services for pupils who are eligible for special education programs and services according to statute or rule. For meeting the costs of special education programs and services not reimbursed under this article, a district or intermediate district may use money in general funds or special education funds, not otherwise restricted, or contributions from districts to intermediate districts, tuition payments, gifts and contributions from individuals, or federal funds that may be available for this purpose, as determined by the intermediate district plan prepared pursuant to article 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766. All federal funds allocated under this section in excess of those allocated under this section for 2002-2003 may be distributed in accordance with the flexible funding provisions of the individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law 108-446, including, but not limited to, 34 CFR 300.206 and 300.208. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments of federal funds to districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(2) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 the amount necessary, estimated at $216,500,000.00, for payments toward reimbursing districts and intermediate districts for 28.6138% of total approved costs of special education, excluding costs reimbursed under section 53a, and 70.4165% of total approved costs of special education transportation. Allocations under this subsection shall be made as follows:

(a) The initial amount allocated to a district under this subsection toward fulfilling the specified percentages shall be calculated by multiplying the district's special education pupil membership, excluding pupils described in subsection(12), times the sum of the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence plus the amount of the district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2), not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year, or, for a special education pupil in membership in a district that is a public school academy or university school, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil calculated under section 20(6). For an intermediate district, the amount allocated under this subdivision toward fulfilling the specified percentages shall be an amount per special education membership pupil, excluding pupils described in subsection (12), and shall be calculated in the same manner as for a district, using the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year, and that district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2).

(b) After the allocations under subdivision (a), districts and intermediate districts for which the payments under subdivision (a) do not fulfill the specified percentages shall be paid the amount necessary to achieve the specified percentages for the district or intermediate district.

(3) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 the amount necessary, estimated at $1,500,000.00, to make payments to districts and intermediate districts under this subsection. If the amount allocated to a district or intermediate district for a fiscal year under subsection (2)(b) is less than the sum of the amounts allocated to the district or intermediate district for 1996-97 under sections 52 and 58, there is allocated to the district or intermediate district for the fiscal year an amount equal to that difference, adjusted by applying the same proration factor that was used in the distribution of funds under section 52 in 1996-97 as adjusted to the district's or intermediate district's necessary costs of special education used in calculations for the fiscal year. This adjustment is to reflect reductions in special education program operations or services between 1996-97 and subsequent fiscal years. Adjustments for reductions in special education program operations or services shall be made in a manner determined by the department and shall include adjustments for program or service shifts.

(4) If the department determines that the sum of the amounts allocated for a fiscal year to a district or intermediate district under subsection (2)(a) and (b) is not sufficient to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), then the shortfall shall be paid to the district or intermediate district during the fiscal year beginning on the October 1 following the determination and payments under subsection (3) shall be adjusted as necessary. If the department determines that the sum of the amounts allocated for a fiscal year to a district or intermediate district under subsection (2)(a) and (b) exceeds the sum of the amount necessary to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), then the department shall deduct the amount of the excess from the district's or intermediate district's payments under this act for the fiscal year beginning on the October 1 following the determination and payments under subsection (3) shall be adjusted as necessary. However, if the amount allocated under subsection (2)(a) in itself exceeds the amount necessary to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), there shall be no deduction under this subsection.

(5) State funds shall be allocated on a total approved cost basis. Federal funds shall be allocated under applicable federal requirements, except that an amount not to exceed $3,500,000.00 may be allocated by the department for 2007-2008 to districts, intermediate districts, or other eligible entities on a competitive grant basis for programs, equipment, and services that the department determines to be designed to benefit or improve special education on a statewide scale.

(6) From the amount allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,200,000.00 for 2007-2008 to reimburse 100% of the net increase in necessary costs incurred by a district or intermediate district in implementing the revisions in the administrative rules for special education that became effective on July 1, 1987. As used in this subsection, "net increase in necessary costs" means the necessary additional costs incurred solely because of new or revised requirements in the administrative rules minus cost savings permitted in implementing the revised rules. Net increase in necessary costs shall be determined in a manner specified by the department.

(7) For purposes of this article, all of the following apply:

(a) "Total approved costs of special education" shall be determined in a manner specified by the department and may include indirect costs, but shall not exceed 115% of approved direct costs for section 52 and section 53a programs. The total approved costs include salary and other compensation for all approved special education personnel for the program, including payments for social security and medicare and public school employee retirement system contributions. The total approved costs do not include salaries or other compensation paid to administrative personnel who are not special education personnel as defined in section 6 of the revised school code, MCL 380.6. Costs reimbursed by federal funds, other than those federal funds included in the allocation made under this article, are not included. Special education approved personnel not utilized full time in the evaluation of students or in the delivery of special education programs, ancillary, and other related services shall be reimbursed under this section only for that portion of time actually spent providing these programs and services, with the exception of special education programs and services provided to youth placed in child caring institutions or juvenile detention programs approved by the department to provide an on-grounds education program.

(b) Beginning with the 2004-2005 fiscal year, a district or intermediate district that employed special education support services staff to provide special education support services in 2003-2004 or in a subsequent fiscal year and that in a fiscal year after 2003-2004 receives the same type of support services from another district or intermediate district shall report the cost of those support services for special education reimbursement purposes under this act. This subdivision does not prohibit the transfer of special education classroom teachers and special education classroom aides if the pupils counted in membership associated with those special education classroom teachers and special education classroom aides are transferred and counted in membership in the other district or intermediate district in conjunction with the transfer of those teachers and aides.

(c) If the department determines before bookclosing for 2006-2007 that the amounts allocated for 2006-2007 under subsections (2), (3), (6), (8), and (12) and sections 53a, 54, and 56 will exceed expenditures for 2006-2007 under subsections (2), (3), (6), (8), and (12) and sections 53a, 54, and 56, then for 2006-2007 only, for a district or intermediate district whose reimbursement for 2006-2007 would otherwise be affected by subdivision (b), subdivision (b) does not apply to the calculation of the reimbursement for that district or intermediate district and reimbursement for that district or intermediate district shall be calculated in the same manner as it was for 2003-2004. If the amount of the excess allocations under subsections (2), (3), (6), (8), and (12) and sections 53a, 54, and 56 is not sufficient to fully fund the calculation of reimbursement to those districts and intermediate districts under this subdivision, then the calculations and resulting reimbursement under this subdivision shall be prorated on an equal percentage basis.

(d) Reimbursement for ancillary and other related services, as defined by R340.1701c of the Michigan administrative code, shall not be provided when those services are covered by and available through private group health insurance carriers or federal reimbursed program sources unless the department and district or intermediate district agree otherwise and that agreement is approved by the state budget director. Expenses, other than the incidental expense of filing, shall not be borne by the parent. In addition, the filing of claims shall not delay the education of a pupil. A district or intermediate district shall be responsible for payment of a deductible amount and for an advance payment required until the time a claim is paid.

(e) Beginning with calculations for 2004-2005, if an intermediate district purchases a special education pupil transportation service from a constituent district that was previously purchased from a private entity; if the purchase from the constituent district is at a lower cost, adjusted for changes in fuel costs; and if the cost shift from the intermediate district to the constituent does not result in any net change in the revenue the constituent district receives from payments under sections 22b and 51c, then upon application by the intermediate district, the department shall direct the intermediate district to continue to report the cost associated with the specific identified special education pupil transportation service and shall adjust the costs reported by the constituent district to remove the cost associated with that specific service.

(8) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 an amount not to exceed $15,313,900.00 to intermediate districts. The payment under this subsection to each intermediate district shall be equal to the amount of the 1996-97 allocation to the intermediate district under subsection (6) of this section as in effect for 1996-97.

(9) A pupil who is enrolled in a full-time special education program conducted or administered by an intermediate district or a pupil who is enrolled in the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind shall not be included in the membership count of a district, but shall be counted in membership in the intermediate district of residence.

(10) Special education personnel transferred from 1 district to another to implement the revised school code shall be entitled to the rights, benefits, and tenure to which the person would otherwise be entitled had that person been employed by the receiving district originally.

(11) If a district or intermediate district uses money received under this section for a purpose other than the purpose or purposes for which the money is allocated, the department may require the district or intermediate district to refund the amount of money received. Money that is refunded shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the state school aid fund.

(12) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 the amount necessary, estimated at $7,600,000.00, to pay the foundation allowances for pupils described in this subsection. The allocation to a district under this subsection shall be calculated by multiplying the number of pupils described in this subsection who are counted in membership in the district times the sum of the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence plus the amount of the district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2), not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year, or, for a pupil described in this subsection who is counted in membership in a district that is a public school academy or university school, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil under section 20(6). The allocation to an intermediate district under this subsection shall be calculated in the same manner as for a district, using the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence, not to exceed the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year, and that district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2). This subsection applies to all of the following pupils:

(a) Pupils described in section 53a.

(b) Pupils counted in membership in an intermediate district who are not special education pupils and are served by the intermediate district in a juvenile detention or child caring facility.

(c) Emotionally impaired pupils counted in membership by an intermediate district and provided educational services by the department of community health.

(13) After payments under subsections (2) and (12) and section 51c, the remaining expenditures from the allocation in subsection (1) shall be made in the following order:

(a) 100% of the reimbursement required under section 53a.

(b) 100% of the reimbursement required under subsection (6).

(d) 100% of the payment required under subsection (3).

(e) 100% of the payment required under subsection (8).

(f) 100% of the payments under section 56.

(14) The allocations under subsection (2), subsection (3), and subsection (12) shall be allocations to intermediate districts only and shall not be allocations to districts, but instead shall be calculations used only to determine the state payments under section 22b.

Sec. 51c. As required by the court in the consolidated cases known as Durant v State of Michigan, Michigan supreme court docket no. 104458-104492, from the allocation under section 51a(1), there is allocated for 2007-2008 the amount necessary, estimated at $696,000,000.00, for payments to reimburse districts for 28.6138% of total approved costs of special education excluding costs reimbursed under section 53a, and 70.4165% of total approved costs of special education transportation. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22a and 22b in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

Sec. 54c. From the general fund appropriation in section 11, there is allocated to the department an amount not to exceed $80,000.00 for the department to make Newsline available electronically on a statewide basis for persons who are visually impaired.

Sec. 56. (1) For the purposes of this section:

(b) "Millage levied" means the millage levied for special education pursuant to part 30 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1711 to 380.1743, including a levy for debt service obligations.

(c) "Taxable value" means the total taxable value of the districts constituent to an intermediate district, except that if a district has elected not to come under part 30 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1711 to 380.1743, membership and taxable value of the district shall not be included in the membership and taxable value of the intermediate district.

(2) From the allocation under section 51a(1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $36,881,100.00 for 2007-2008 to reimburse intermediate districts levying millages for special education pursuant to part 30 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1711 to 380.1743. The purpose, use, and expenditure of the reimbursement shall be limited as if the funds were generated by these millages and governed by the intermediate district plan adopted pursuant to article 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766. As a condition of receiving funds under this section, an intermediate district distributing any portion of special education millage funds to its constituent districts shall submit for departmental approval and implement a distribution plan.

(3) Reimbursement for those millages levied in 2006-2007 shall be made in 2007-2008 at an amount per 2006-2007 membership pupil computed by subtracting from $161,800.00 the 2006-2007 taxable value behind each membership pupil and multiplying the resulting difference by the 2006-2007 millage levied.

Sec. 62. (1) For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Membership" means for a particular fiscal year the total membership for the immediately preceding fiscal year of the intermediate district and the districts constituent to the intermediate district or the total membership for the immediately preceding fiscal year of the area vocational-technical program.

(b) "Millage levied" means the millage levied for area vocational-technical education pursuant to sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690, including a levy for debt service obligations incurred as the result of borrowing for capital outlay projects and in meeting capital projects fund requirements of area vocational-technical education.

(c) "Taxable value" means the total taxable value of the districts constituent to an intermediate district or area vocational-technical education program, except that if a district has elected not to come under sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690, the membership and taxable value of that district shall not be included in the membership and taxable value of the intermediate district. However, the membership and taxable value of a district that has elected not to come under sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690, shall be included in the membership and taxable value of the intermediate district if the district meets both of the following:

(i) The district operates the area vocational-technical education program pursuant to a contract with the intermediate district.

(ii) The district contributes an annual amount to the operation of the program that is commensurate with the revenue that would have been raised for operation of the program if millage were levied in the district for the program under sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690.

(2) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $9,000,000.00 for 2007-2008 to reimburse intermediate districts and area vocational-technical education programs established under section 690(3) of the revised school code, MCL 380.690, levying millages for area vocational-technical education pursuant to sections 681 to 690 of the revised school code, MCL 380.681 to 380.690. The purpose, use, and expenditure of the reimbursement shall be limited as if the funds were generated by those millages.

(3) Reimbursement for the millages levied in 2006-2007 shall be made in 2007-2008 at an amount per 2006-2007 membership pupil computed by subtracting from $171,300.00 the 2006-2007 taxable value behind each membership pupil and multiplying the resulting difference by the 2006-2007 millage levied.

Sec. 99n. (1) It is the intent of the legislature to fund for 2008-2009 competitive grants to districts or intermediate districts that enter into cooperative arrangements with a community college to establish programs to allow pupils to earn community college credit while enrolled in middle school or high school.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that a district that formerly operated a community college program and that ceased to operate that program after 1995 shall be merged with a community college district located in a city with a population of more than 750,000.

Sec. 99p. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for 2007-2008 for competitive grants to districts for programs that provide pupils with access to cultural, art, or music resources and experiences that are available in the community and that may promote reading, literacy, and communications skills among pupils.

(2) A district applying for a grant shall submit an application to the department in a form and manner determined by the department. To be eligible for a grant, a district shall demonstrate in its application that at least 50% of the pupils in membership in the district met the income eligibility criteria for free breakfast, lunch, or milk, as determined under the Richard B. Russell national school lunch act and as reported to the department by October 31 of the immediately preceding fiscal year and adjusted not later than December 31 of the immediately preceding fiscal year.

(3) Grant awards shall be made in a manner determined by the department. However, the department may set maximum grant amounts in a manner that maximizes the number of pupils that will be able to participate.

(4) Notwithstanding section 17b, payments to eligible districts under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

Sec. 104. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2007-2008 an amount not to exceed $29,322,400.00 for payments on behalf of districts for costs associated with complying with sections 104a and 104b, sections 1279, 1279g, and 1280b of the revised school code, MCL 380.1279, 380.1279g, and 380.1280b, and 1970 PA 38, MCL 388.1081 to 388.1086. In addition, from the federal funds appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2007-2008 an amount estimated at $5,477,600.00, funded from DED-OESE, title VI, state assessments funds and DED-OSERS, section 504 of part B of the individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law94-142, plus any carryover federal funds from previous year appropriations, for the purposes of complying with the federal no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110.

(2) The results of each test administered as part of the Michigan educational assessment program, including tests administered to high school students, shall include an item analysis that lists all items that are counted for individual pupil scores and the percentage of pupils choosing each possible response.

(3) All federal funds allocated under this section shall be distributed in accordance with federal law and with flexibility provisions outlined in Public Law 107-116, and in the education flexibility partnership act of 1999, Public Law106-25.

(4) Notwithstanding section 17b, payments on behalf of districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending in this amendatory act and in 2007 PA 137 from state sources for fiscal year 2007-2008 is estimated at $11,421,776,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2007-2008 are estimated at $11,346,293,300.00.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Secretary of the Senate

Approved

Governor